We're planning on hiking the ribbok trail in late Feb 2009. Can anyone tell me what the security is like for vehicles that are left behind? We're wanting to take up a minibus and trailer, and both are 'high demand' vehicles these days

We did the trail in August last year and boy it was TOUGH! We are experienced hikers but maybe our age is now becoming a factor? It was extremely cold (yeah I know it was winter) and we were prepared but we had terrible strong winds... with a chill factor! At some places we had to crawl because we were afraid of been blown off the mountains! However is was not enough to stop us from hiking and we spend a few lovely lazy days in December at Golden Gate again - just doing the day walks!

We parked our vehicles at the Glen Reenen rest camp under the trees at the petrol station and all was fine however just a word of caution, during December a freak storm/wind came past and one of the big branches of the same tree we used broke down and smashed a BMW standing underneath.

My advice would be to find out from the reception were it will be safe to leave your vehicles.

HiI've read several reports that the Ribbok's overnight hut is in terrible condition... not enought mattresses, doors and windows can't close, roof is falling apart... maybe you must just look into that before your hike is not all that nice as you think it's suppose to be.

Maybe someone of the Park can help us with the truth, is it fix or not??

joshilewis wrote:Also, how does one book the trail? Can I phone or email reservations?

Reply by email:

Regarding your enquiry the information is as follows: * Yes, you can book Rhebok Hiking Trail via the email all you need to do is to send us your client code and the dates.RegardsSipho ZuluHospitality Services ManagerGolden Gate Highlands National Park

1. I last did the Rhebok Trail in 1990 (suffered all the way, but will not forget the great experience !) and will be back to do it again in August. Has anybody got any recent experiences - good or bad - to share about the route, state of accommodation, etc ?

2. My SO has a thing for steep routes and is rather worried about the chain ladder route up the buttress having previously turned back at this point - is it possible to access the top of the Brandwag from an alternative route (not sure of the trail name, but I am thinking of the obvious trail which starts at the road directly opposite the main hotel).

Am very interested in doing the Rhebok, though have not done it before.

The route from the hotel up Brandwag isn't too taxing. My SO wasn't too keen on the chain section coming from the Glen Reenen side, but she managed it. We came down the other side, ending up near the hotel. Its really not bad from that side.

- Top of the Brandwag can be accessed from the trail which starts immediately opposite the Brandwag Hotel. This provides an alternative for those wishing to avoid the steep "chainladder" section, although only really necessary for those with extreme vertigo.- Trail is well marked on day one and most of day two. This said, SANPARKS how about some work on touching up the markings which are really beginning to fade in many places, esp. day 2 ?- At about 4.5Km on day two (just after "inbreek") and just after following a steep slope next to some short cliffs, a flattish area with grassless patches is reached where the trail is easily missed. To make matters worse a false and very well defined path leads down left to the river bed (perhaps from extensive people following the wrong route). The correct trail is however fairly easy to spot if one sticks to the gentler grassland and moves slightly upslope to the right. Getting lost here could be easy in mist and less easy to find a way out of.- Overnight hut was clean on arrival, with braai grid and ample fire wood provided. A donkey-boiler is available for the shower and it is well worth the effort to build the fire for a well deserved hot shower later on. Takes about 1 to 2 hours to reach a good temperature. There is also an old cast iron stove in the kitchen which can also be fired up and really warms the place up nicely. There were only five mattresses on the beds, the rest had wooden boards or just exposed springs. Not sure if this intentional from Sanparks' side (we had five in our group) or just a case of things not being maintained ?- Overall had a fantastic, but strenous, outing - highly recommended.

The overnight hut is reasonable, no great shakes really.We didn't use the donkey and we got our water from the river crossing nearby (there was a problem with the supplied water). We also weren't provided with much firewood, I think 2 bags (not enough for the very small donkey, and cooking).

The kitchen

The kitchen has very little: a sink, food prep area, and old wood-fired stove and oven.

Exterior of the huts

Bunk beds inside the room

There are 3 rooms, each with 2 bunk beds (6 bunks each). There is also a reasonable bathroom and shower.

The braai is quite big. We didn't like the fact that it's so high, and far away from the benches. Not so gesellig in mid-winter when you want the warmth from the fire. The rods for suspending the grid are also very high off the base.

In conclusion:The Rhebok is a very difficult trail. It would most likely be a challenging 3-day trail, let alone 2 days. The first day is long and strenuous and the second day is quite a lot harder. A lot of steep, never-ending uphills, then downhills. Our trail was made harder by the weather: doing it in mid-winter meant overnight temperatures below freezing. We needed serious gear including heavy, bulky sleeping bags and clothes, and lots of food. I imagine doing it another time of year might be a fair bit easier, but you might battle in the sun as there's no cover.

All in all it's a great trail but very challenging. I personally will think twice about doing it again, and only then probably as a training run for a serious trail (like if Kilimanjaro again).

we just came back from the rhebok overnight hiking trail in the golden gate highlands park. The trails is totally worth it and offers spectacular view - we had a great time and can highly recommend it.

However, please not that one of the maps that the park officials will give you before you start is ENTIRELY USELESS and will mislead you grossly. According to that map you are not suppose to cross the main road at the end of the first day, which is wrong. Instead, it shows an absurd trail which has almost nothing to do with the rhebok trail. We have no idea how on earth the park officials came about to produce such a map and why no-one has had the brains or initiative to withdraw it.....

Still, at times you may get another second map at reception, which is of very bad quality ("pixely" and low resolution) but at least shows the actual trail.

Apart from that really annoying and potentially dangerous handing out of an inappropriate map, the overnight hike is fantastic! Regards to all hikers

hello and thanks for welcoming me/us here in the forum! we reported it to two rangers who dropped of our luggage at the overnight hut, but albeit friendly they did not seem to be interested in our concern about this absolutely ridiculous maps.

thank you for forwarding this issue to the relevant people again, much appreciated!